Jets are expecting to face a tough defense against the PackersNew York Jets beat reporter Jenny Vrentas and Conor Orr preview the Jets game against the Packers. The Jets are expecting to see some tough defensive looks from the Packers as they face the league leader in sacks. The pair discuss Santonio Holmes and his involvement in the offense, and how the Jets corners are both healthy with Revis coming back to play this week. (Video by Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger)

Jets coach Rex Ryan is happy to have Darelle Revis back and healthy

Jets coach Rex Ryan is happy to have Darelle Revis back and healthyNew York Jets head coach Rex Ryan talked to the media about how he was happy to have both of his corners on the field and healthy after the bye week. Darrelle Revis has been out nursing a hamstring injury and is expected to play this weekend against the Packers. (Video by Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger)

THIS WEEK'S GAME REVOLVES AROUND:

Jets guard Damien Woody

Why does one offensive lineman have this much on his shoulders? Because Woody will be primarily responsible for the motor-charged Clay Matthews, Green Bay’s roving linebacker and the NFL’s leader in sacks. This is important because Mark Sanchez still shows a tendency to make rash decisions when flustered in the pocket, and if Woody has a difficult time containing Matthews, things could get dicey. Woody has been practicing this week against Jamaal Westerman and Vernon Gholston in one-on-one drills to simulate Matthews’ speed off the edge and jarring hand movements. It’s nothing the veteran can’t handle, but the more he keeps Matthews out of the backfield, the better chance Sanchez has at having a big game passing the ball.

THREE THINGS THE PACKERS DON'T WANT THE JETS TO KNOW:

They’re extremely banged up

Since the first week of the season, the Packers have lost five starters and 10 players to injured reserve, making it the most starters a Packers team has lost in more than a decade. The team is just two short of a Mike McCarthy-era high of players on IR in one season.

They’re having a tough time running the ball

Of course, the Jets probably know this, given the fact the Packers sit at 20th in the league in rushing yards per game. Still, McCarthy is optimistic: “We don’t want to be one dimensional,’’ he said. “Everybody that’s ever played this game, when the defense goes out on the field, you want to make the other team one dimensional, so I’d say it’s important for us to have some sense of balance.”

The special teams unit is vulnerable

Net punting average is down, and with a team already depleted there are going to be new players cycling in and out of punt- and kick-coverage teams. That being said, Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff is one of the best in the business and has his punt-block team ready to roll, refining a few looks in practice on Thursday.

THE SAVVY FOOTBALL FAN WILL BE WATCHING:

To see where Rex Ryan lines up cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. The Packers have two game-breaking wideouts — Greg Jennings and Donald Driver — both with different capabilities, so we’ll see where the defensive minds on the coaching staff really think Revis’ hamstring is at based on who he covers.

ONE MORE THING

Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said he plans on mixing up his play-calling a little bit. During the bye week he had the opportunity to look at some tendencies he had after a first down, in the red zone and after a first-and-10 incompletion, for example.

POSITION BREAKDOWNS

QuarterbackAaron Rodgers has the ability to beat you with his legs and his arm. Mark Sanchez had the bye week to learn from his mistakes against Denver. Edge: Packers

Running back
Packers are 20th in the league in rushing, and Rodgers has the most ground TDs with three. Jets are second in rushing in the NFL, averaging 159 yards per game. Not much to debate about. Edge: Jets

Wide receiver
With Santonio Holmes learning more about this offense every week, and the MRI on Dustin Keller’s wrist negative, it’s hard to argue against the Jets. That being said, Donald Driver and Greg Jennings make this one close. Edge: Jets

Offensive line
The second-best rushing team in the NFL does a pretty good job protecting its QB. The Packers have struggled at times keeping Rodgers off the ground. Edge: Jets

Defensive line
Take away Clay Matthews’ league-leading 8 1/2 sacks and the Packers still have more than the Jets. Edge: Packers

Linebacker
It’s hard to argue against Matthews. The All-Pro has a motor that just doesn’t stop. Edge: Packers

SecondaryDarrelle Revis says he’s 100 percent and will start alongside the hot-handed Antonio Cromartie. Charles Woodson is a presence, but is he enough? Edge: Jets

Special teamsDevin Hester torched the Packers’ net punt average, which could make the statistics misleading. Even so, Brad Smith is second in the league in yards per kick return. Edge: Jets

Coaching
Both are excellent at what they do. Mike McCarthy is a quarterbacks guy, and his QB is one of the best. Rex Ryan is a defensive guy, and his defense is one of the best. Edge: Even

FOUR DOWNS WITH JETS WR BRAYLON EDWARDS

Q: What do you think about facing Charles Woodson this weekend?

A: He still makes plays, that’s the big thing about Charles Woodson. I won’t make any judgments on speed or anything until I go against him myself, but what I have seen on camera is he tends to be in the right spots and he makes a lot of plays on defense. You’re talking about the Defensive Player of the Year, that speaks volumes.

Q: How would you compare him, heyday to heyday, with Darrelle Revis?

A: I see a lot of patience in both of them, very strong at the line of scrimmage. Good speed, you know what I’m saying? Similar speed. Similar players, they’re extremely similar players.

Q: You guys don’t run a lot of spread sets, so does that make it difficult to get Santonio Holmes into the mix?

A: They have plays for ’Tone. They have plays for Jerricho (Cotchery), they have plays for myself and Dustin (Keller) and so on and so on. The key for us is to get on the same page early in the game. If we can get a good momentum rolling then we can work everyone in there. But if it’s a situation where we’re struggling, we have to do whatever works for us best to get going.

Q: Do you and Holmes essentially play the same position?

A: Santonio can play anything. Right now, they have him playing a majority at the X, same thing they did for me last year. When you’re learning the offense — it’s just easier. But I play a little of what Jerricho plays and Jerricho does it all, you know, we’re trying to get to that point one day, but we’re all interchangeable. I think the pass game can get better and should get better in order to help this team’s consistency. Going out there, I think everyone is a little antsy and that’s going back to preseason — what we know we can be. We just have to settle down.
Conor Orr: corr@starledger.com